Used car help - 540C

[KyloRen]

Hi guys,

I have seen a 540C that I am highly interested in.

LINK

I was originally 99% set to go with the 540C that McLeeds had, however they took a deposit on it yesterday

Could you wonderful people just give me a bit of help / insight.

This will be my first 'supercar' so just wondering if I should be looking out for anything in particular or whether the mileage is a concern.

In all honesty, I want a car to have fun with for around 12 months before I become sensible and settle down.

Thank you in advance

[Panamax]

Depends what you want a sports car for and where you're actually intending to go in it. Personally, I think 540C is great value - it's not as if McLaren build any slow cars. But what are you actually going to do in it and, more importantly, who are you going to sell it to at the end of the year? I think you'll take a beating if you try to sell it back into the official network yet that's where most buyers want to buy them from.

[Pioneer]

As long a it's been looked after by a main dealer and has McL warranty it should be fine. Up to you whether you get it checked over first just in case there's any new issues since McL inspected it for renewal. Only been a few weeks so you'd be unlucky. Higher miles is sometimes a good thing with these, they def. don't seem so mileage sensitive as F or L and a lot of the smaller, more common niggles have prob. been addressed (iris, windows dropping, seals etc). One thing I would check for would be any paint issues as could be tricky to push through warranty and may have been ignored if not covered.

[justin220]

Nice colour. Its not clear from the advert if it has front nose lift?

It also doesn't have the interior carbon pack with the extended paddles. I can't remember how the packs for the interior were made up, but also missing the reverse camera. Neither of are a must have, but might hinder resale.

[justin220]

Panamax said:

Depends what you want a sports car for and where you're actually intending to go in it. Personally, I think 540C is great value - it's not as if McLaren build any slow cars. But what are you actually going to do in it and, more importantly, who are you going to sell it to at the end of the year? I think you'll take a beating if you try to sell it back into the official network yet that's where most buyers want to buy them from.

Agree with all of this post. Thats also a very good point about selling it in a years time, you'll lose the dealer premium for sure, but at least you are saving a bit by buying private.

[Sarnie]

Seems very expensive for a 540c with 23k miles.......

[justin220]

Sarnie said:

Seems very expensive for a 540c with 23k miles.......

Probably one of the cheapest out there......

[ro250]

Love the first line of the description "Privately owned by company Director" - do you think he's powerfully built?

[KyloRen]

justin220 said:

Panamax said:

Depends what you want a sports car for and where you're actually intending to go in it. Personally, I think 540C is great value - it's not as if McLaren build any slow cars. But what are you actually going to do in it and, more importantly, who are you going to sell it to at the end of the year? I think you'll take a beating if you try to sell it back into the official network yet that's where most buyers want to buy them from.

Agree with all of this post. Thats also a very good point about selling it in a years time, you'll lose the dealer premium for sure, but at least you are saving a bit by buying private.

Thank you both.

I have zero experience in selling these cars on, so what do you mean by "beating" like £10K? (I understand this is a total guess)

Sorry for sounding stupid, just don't know much about McLaren ownership.

[KyloRen]

ro250 said:

Love the first line of the description "Privately owned by company Director" - do you think he's powerfully built?

[KyloRen]

Thank you guys for all the help, it's appreciated

Just a question on inspection as I don't really know much about the car, what would people suggest? Get a McLaren centre to do it? Unless one of you guys want's to come along with me, I'll get pay your expenses and get you a Christmas bottle

I've only owned 2 cars prior to this and both came from dealers.

[Rocketreid]

Car looks fine, however for peace of mind you would do well to speak with Mc Ascot to obtain their view and a copy of the video that would have been done by Ascot at the service/warranty extension.

Vendor may need to give his permission to get info but he will have the video. Good Luck

[Ferruccio]

[quote=KyloRen

before I become sensible and settle down.


[/quote]

Really, best avoided.

[justin220]

I'd probably go for a Mclaren inspection also, but as that one has a year's warranty that is good for peace of mind. The warranty is very comprehensive so any issues should be sorted.

I've tried to send you an email, but your account wont allow?

[djangoW]

Where are you based?
I'd recommend a pre inspection for any issues
https://www.thorneymotorsport.co.uk/ these guys do them in depth reasonably 200ish if memory serves

Sure a McWarranty tends to be comprehensive if expensive, but you still dont want to be off road for weeks (months) while waiting for fixes.

Finally also if you want a good overview of typical maintenance costs, and typical repair issues their vids are informative. Search youtube for "thorney 5 million miles in mclaren".

Other good indepedents also exist.

[KyloRen]

justin220 said:

I'd probably go for a Mclaren inspection also, but as that one has a year's warranty that is good for peace of mind. The warranty is very comprehensive so any issues should be sorted.

I've tried to send you an email, but your account wont allow?

Hey,

I have just sent you a message, not sure why it did not let you send me one.

[KyloRen]

djangoW said:

Where are you based?
I'd recommend a pre inspection for any issues
https://www.thorneymotorsport.co.uk/ these guys do them in depth reasonably 200ish if memory serves

Sure a McWarranty tends to be comprehensive if expensive, but you still dont want to be off road for weeks (months) while waiting for fixes.

Finally also if you want a good overview of typical maintenance costs, and typical repair issues their vids are informative. Search youtube for "thorney 5 million miles in mclaren".

Other good indepedents also exist.

I am in Wolverhampton. Thanks for the information mate

Will check it out.

[Streetbeat]

For what its worth, i would probably extend your search to the 570s if you can, a lot more choice on the market and not much more money, especially as you only plan to keep for a year, i can imagine the 570s will be a lot more sellable.

[Malcolm E Boo]

KyloRen said:

Hi guys,

I have seen a 540C that I am highly interested in.

LINK

I was originally 99% set to go with the 540C that McLeeds had, however they took a deposit on it yesterday

Could you wonderful people just give me a bit of help / insight.

This will be my first 'supercar' so just wondering if I should be looking out for anything in particular or whether the mileage is a concern.

In all honesty, I want a car to have fun with for around 12 months before I become sensible and settle down.

Thank you in advance

Of no use to you but a friend of mine bought that white one at Leeds.

[KyloRen]

Malcolm E Boo said:

Of no use to you but a friend of mine bought that white one at Leeds.

The salesman informed me yesterday that the deal had collapsed, so it's back on the market.

I have found a 540C from a member on here that is going up for sale in a couple weeks, so I am going to hold out for that